Earlier the defendant told the jury he and Jayden had been trying for a baby, partly because it would help them find somewhere to live.

Asked if that was the only reason he said: “No. I loved her. We were in love, mad in love.

“There were good times and bad times, but people only hear about the bad.”

During yesterday morning Mr Benson told his client to tell the jury what his life was like growing up.

Blakeley described being physically abused by his father – being tied up and left, beaten and grabbed by the throat – and how, aged 11, he went to live in a children’s home.

He said: “My first memory is me sat with my legs crossed on the floor and he came in and swung a boot and hit me in the face.

“I was five or six.”

Blakeley also admitted being violent, obsessive and controlling towards his girlfriends and putting his hands around their throats “to let them know I wasn’t f****** around”.

But he repeatedly denied intending to kill them or cause them really serious harm. He said because of his paranoia growing up he slept with a knife under his pillow from when he was nine years old and regularly carried other weapons.

Blakeley admits manslaughter and perverting the course of justice, but denies murder.

He is on trial alongside a 17- year-old who admits perverting the course of justice, but denies preventing a lawful burial.

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